Disaster Planning Checklist

Disaster Planning Checklist

Immediately after a disaster or emergency, essential services may be
cut off and local disaster relief and government responders may not be
able to reach you right away. But even if they could, you would still
need to protect yourself and know what to do.

Using the information below, you can prepare yourself and your family
for the unexpected disasters or emergencies that can occur in our area.
You can also follow the plan outlined in the 52
Weeks to Being Prepared!

Creating a Disaster Plan

Talk with employers and school officials about their disaster response
plans.

Talk with your family about potential disasters and how to respond
to each. Talk about what you would need to do in an evacuation.

Plan how your family would stay in contact if you were separated
from one another in a disaster. Identify two meeting places: the first
should be a place near your home (in case of fire); the second should
be a place away from your neighborhood in case you cannot return home.
Be familiar with the Emergency Social Services Reception Centre locations
in your area.

Pick a friend or relative who lives out of the area (preferably out-of-province)
for family members to call to say they are okay.

Draw a floor plan of your home. Mark two escape routes from each
room.

Post emergency telephone numbers by telephones. Teach children how
and when to call 9-1-1.

Explain to responsible persons in your household when and how to
shut off water, gas and electricity at the main switches.

Take emergency first aid and CPR classes. - Consider how you would
help your neighbors who may need special assistance, such as the elderly
or people with disabilities, in times of emergency.

Make arrangements for your pets. Pets are not allowed in Reception
Centres.

Emergency supplies

Immediately following a disaster, you may need to be able to survive
on your own for three days or more. This means having your own water,
food and emergency supplies. The following checklists will help you assemble
disaster supply kits for each member of your family. Try using backpacks
or duffel bags to keep the supplies together and keep this information
with your emergency supplies.

Water: The Absolute Necessity

Stocking water reserves should be a top priority. Everyone's needs will
differ, depending upon age, physical condition, activity, diet and climate.
A normally active person needs to drink at least two litres of water
each day. Heat can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers and
ill people will need more. You will need additional water for food preparation
and hygiene.

Store at least four litres of water per person per day.

Never ration water, unless ordered to do so by authorities. Drink
the amount you need today and try to find more for tomorrow. You can
minimize the amount of water your body needs by reducing activity and
staying cool.

Never use a container that has held toxic substances. Sound plastic
containers, such as soft drink bottles, are best. You can also purchase
food-grade plastic buckets or drums.

Before storing water, treat it with a disinfectant, such as chlorine
bleach, to prevent the growth of microorganisms.
- Use liquid bleach
that contains 5-1/4% sodium hypo-chlorite and no soap.
- Add four drops of
bleach per litre of water and stir.

Seal your water containers tightly, label them and store
them in a cool, dark place.

Food: Preparing a Stockpile

If activity is reduced, healthy people can survive on half their usual
food intake for an extended period or without any food for many days.
Food, unlike water, may be rationed safely, except for children and pregnant
women.

You do not need to go out and buy unfamiliar foods to prepare an
emergency food supply. You can use the canned foods, dry mixes and
other staples on your cupboard shelves. Canned foods do not require
cooking, water or special preparation.

Though it is unlikely that a disaster would cut off your food supply
for two weeks, you should prepare a supply that will last that long.
A two-week supply can relieve a great deal of inconvenience and uncertainty
until services are restored.

Keep canned foods in a dry place where the temperature is fairly
cool. To protect boxed foods from pests and to extend their shelf life,
store the foods in tightly closed cans or metal containers.

Rotate your food supply. Use foods before they go bad and replace
them with fresh supplies.

Date each food item with a marker. Place new items at the back of
the storage area and older ones in front.

Water, food and utensils

Four litres of water per person per day, for drinking, cooking, washing
and sanitation. Store as much water as possible in non-breakable containers,
such as soft drink containers or milk jugs

Non-perishable foods, needing little or no cooking; high nutrition-type

Special dietary foods, if needed

Eating and drinking utensils, non-breakable

Bottle and can openers

Water purifying tablets, two percent tincture of iodine or household
bleach (hypo-chlorite-type only)

Heating source, such as a camp stove or canned heat stove, and extra
fuel

Communication, lighting, safety

Battery-operated radio

Flashlights

Extra batteries

Lantern and fuel

Fluorescent distress flag

Matches (in waterproof container)

Fire extinguisher

Work gloves

Shovel

Clothing and bedding

One complete change of clothing for each person, appropriate for season
and weather conditions

Sturdy work clothes

Sturdy shoes

Extra socks

Extra underwear

Outerwear: rain gear, coats, jackets, boots, ponchos

Pillows

Sleeping bag or two blankets per person

Personal items

Washcloth and small towel

Reading and writing materials

Sewing kit

Soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant

Hair care items

Insect repellant and insecticide

Mirror

Contact lens solution

Dentures

Shaving kit

Sanitary napkins and tampons

Small toys for children

Sanitary needs

Paper towels and toilet paper

Liquid detergent

Disinfectant

Garbage can or bucket with tight-fitting lid (for emergency toilet)

Plastic garbage bags (for lining toilet)

Baby supplies, if needed

Clothes

Diapers

Milk or formula

Powders, creams or ointments

Bottles and nipples

Food

Small toys

Sheets, blankets, rubber pads

Portable crib

First aid supplies

Keep contents of your first aid kit in a waterproof metal or plastic
box. Keep medicines tightly capped. Check periodically and replace
any medication which has passed its expiration date.